Press Release: Conservation and Visual Arts in action, Student Open Day (2016/17 intake)

The internationally renowned West Dean College will be opening
its doors to prospective students on Saturday 7 November (10 am to
2.30pm). The Student Open Day is an opportunity to see conservation
in action behind the scenes in the School of Conservation and to
explore the School of Creative Arts. Students who are interested in
developing a career in the heritage sector and creative arts will
be able to; tour the workshops and studios: talk to tutors,
admissions staff and students; learn about funding; and tour the
residential accommodation. Francine Norris, BA (Hons) MA FRSA,
Director of Education will talk about the professional currency of
the college's degrees and diplomas. Shayne Rivers, MA (RCA), world
renowned expert in the conservation of furniture and Asian lacquer
and Head of Conservation will talk about conservation
opportunities.

"Considering the options for further study and what career
opportunities their degree will open up to them, is a major
decision for prospective students" says Francine Norris, Director
of Education at West Dean College. "For example, our new two-year
Foundation Degree in Historic Craft Practices means that students
can specialise in Clocks, Furniture, Metals or Musical Instruments
and combine their interest in heritage with practical hands-on
skills development. It balances practical and academic skills and,
for most students, includes a period of work placement."

Graduates of the FdA programme will be equipped to enter the
field or to pursue further qualifications. The Foundation Degree
offers a recognised qualification and will also appeal to
international students.

Conservation of Books and Library Materials graduate, Noah
Smutz, completed his MA this year and says, "West Dean has given me
the opportunity to work with interesting objects and exceptional
tutors to enhance my conservation knowledge, preparing me for a
successful career in conservation".

Students come from all over the world, attracted by the
college's international reputation, exciting live projects and the
unique environment with its connections to the Surrealist
Movement.

Other study options include Graduate Diploma specialising in
books, clocks, ceramics, furniture or metalwork. The Master of Arts
(MA) Degrees include MA Conservation studies, a part-time MA
Collections Care and Conservation Management* and MA Creative
Writing and Publishing, and MA Visual Arts, and Master of Fine Arts
(MFA). In addition to specialist conservation and arts library and
dedicated workshops, students have access to the School of
Conservation's Analytical Laboratory where they can undertake
technical analysis alongside their practical and academic work.
Courses are validated by the University of Sussex.

The Visual Arts programme includes Painting and Drawing,
Sculpture and Tapestry and Textile Art. The college is the former
home of Edward James, poet and lifelong patron of the Surrealist
Movement, and contains artworks, artefacts and papers which inspire
the students on the full time Visual Arts programmes.

In recognition of the increasing difficulties in funding for
postgraduate education the college offers a wide range of bursaries
and scholarships for talented students who would not otherwise be
able to study at West Dean College.

For more information and if you would like to attend the Student
Open Day please call
+44 (0)1243 818291 or email your full name and address, contact
telephone number and the programme you are interested in applying
for, to admissions@westdean.org.uk.
To view the digital prospectus visit www.westdean.org.uk.

-ends-

Notes to editors

The arts and crafts underpin the UK's world-leading creative
industries sector, which is worth £71.4 billion a year.

West Dean College has seen an increase of 23% in student intake
in the last two years.

West Dean College is part of The Edward James Foundation, a
charitable trust also comprising West Dean Gardens, West Dean
Estate and the West Dean Tapestry Studio. Charity No. 1126084.

New appointments in 2015 included Professor Paul O'Prey,
Vice-Chancellor of Roehampton University, who was appointed a
trustee of The Edward James Foundation. Shayne Rivers, world
renowned expert in the conservation of furniture and Asian lacquer
was appointed Head of Conservation.

All photography is free to use for editorial purposes.

Any journalist interested in viewing the college in action for
news purposes, including filming at West Dean, should contact the
Media Relations Team.

West Dean College is situated on the A286, six miles north of
Chichester and within easy access of Portsmouth, Guildford,
Brighton and London.